Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Enroll in the Best One Near San Tan Valley Arizona
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near San Tan Valley AZ and start your journey that will lead to a fulfilling career in legal services. However, it's essential that you find the right school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you require to be successful. A growing number of educational choices are being offered in the field of legal studies, both at school and online, due to the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. However with so many options to choose from, where does one begin? When checking out paralegal studies schools, the majority of students begin by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although cost and location are important considerations when choosing a school, they are not the only qualifiers you should take into consideration. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the school must be taken into consideration as well. We will address those topics and other crucial questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both fill comparable job roles and responsibilities, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a separate job classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist San Tan Valley AZ attorneys with a wide range of job functions, including maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may assist with the logistics of a trial or transferring files to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is typically billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their everyday tasks may include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and other records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complex and very demanding. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is provide legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal action. But paralegals are not limited to administrative or clerical duties more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to manage a much larger number of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to launch your career as a paralegal in San Tan Valley AZ is by earning a certificate, which may require as little as six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and may be earned at many community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. When you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might want to proceed and earn a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Arizona to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help boost your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few of the highly regarded certifying organizations in the field are:
- National Federation of Paralegal Associations
- American Alliance of Paralegals
- National Association of Legal Assistants
- National Association for Legal Professionals
By graduating with a paralegal certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Degrees
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more common and may be a good option for students living in San Tan Valley AZ looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to those who continue to work while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online classes can often be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But because there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the San Tan Valley AZ area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will start by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other crucial issues to consider as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you should be asking the schools you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in should be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous San Tan Valley AZ law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are typically accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the School? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are new to the field with no prior work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some San Tan Valley AZ law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to start creating contacts within the San Tan Valley AZ legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing provide internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Arizona legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? Because laws differ from one state to another, it might be beneficial to choose a paralegal school domiciled in Arizona or the state where you plan to work after graduating. In addition, it will be important to build relationships in the neighboring legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the area where you want to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may need to first consider those colleges that are within the San Tan Valley AZ area.
What is the Complete Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in cost based on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be obtainable to help offset part of the expense, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in San Tan Valley AZ. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online school, some of these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? A number of paralegal students continue working while getting their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near San Tan Valley AZ, verify classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you choose provides that option. Last, ask what the process is for making-up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in San Tan Valley
Enroll in the Best San Tan Valley Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the right paralegal studies certificate program is an essential first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your San Tan Valley residence. Paralegal academic programs are provided in numerous formats and lengths. Various kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Give yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you elect to receive your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to examine each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the right training you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in San Tan Valley Arizona.
San Tan Valley Paralegal Degrees | San Tan Valley Paralegal Courses